A walk around the Canyon named after Kings in Watarrka National Park

The walk around Kings Canyon commenced around 0600am, only after all the safety precautions such as toilet stop, filling of the water bottles and discussion about staying on the path and if the need arises  to use one of the safety radios around the canyon to make contact with a ranger. By the time we were off many other buses were pulling into the car parks.

The more than 400 or so rough stone steps to the top of the first plateau was fairly easy going as stops along the walk way allowed a view of the area looking westward. there are many more ups and down across the ledges, gorges and bridges, so all in all there are lots of steps. 

Stopping along the way allowed our knowledgable tour guide "Ola" to report about the local plants, fruits, rock formations and even fossilised objects and fossilised landforms. Other tour leaders including Jenny, were also able to provide highlights as our tour group overtook their group, and even when our tour group itself was overtaken by others. Luckily there was still plenty of shadows from the rocks and trees as the extreme heat saw the shaded areas being the best spot for a welcome rest. Some notable highlights included a photostop in Priscilla's Crack, a rest at the waterhole, (no swimming allowed of course to protect the sensitive environment), the view of the Lost City, the starting of the canyon and the sheer walls where the last rock falls occurred in the 1930s.

The tall rock faces allowed many hiding spaces for the desert birds to nest. The work in maintaining and upgrading the paths by the National Parks team is really appreciated by the many tourists. At about 800am we are way past the half way point and on towards the rear entry gate that allows late arrivals a shortened walk to only one side of the canyon. The main gate is locked at 800am while the rear gate is also locked at 1100am in the summer hot season. The sun scorches the earth and sips of water are necessary every so often to keep the mouth moistened. Another walk of several kilometres completed in Central Australia and we were back to the resort for another welcome swim in the pool, some lunch, a pickup of some other Adventure tour travellers and we headed off towards Alice Springs in 43 degrees heat.